Counterfeit money circulating in northern Ontario, police warn

From left, a counterfeit bill compared to an authentic one on the right. Note the details in the hologram that do not show up in the fake. (File photo/RCMP)

The Nipigon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is warning businesses and northern Ontario residents to be vigilant after several incidents involving counterfeit currency were reported in the area the protect.

In a news release on Thursday, the OPP said, “Retailers and members of the public accepting cash as payment are advised to ensure the currency they are accepting is not counterfeit.”

The counterfeit bills in circulation exhibit several distinct characteristics:

• the bills are thick paper not polymer;
• the translucent plastic on these bills is actually just tape;
• there are hash marks on the top right corner of the face side of the bill, or the corner may be just cut off; and
• in all examples the maple leaf on the left side is not translucent and is not a hologram.

The OPP is urging anyone handling cash to familiarize themselves with the security features of Canadian currency, which can be found on the Bank of Canada’s official website.